BAGHDAD — Iraq’s incumbent prime minister ordered the security forces Tuesday not to intervene in the current political crisis over who will be the next prime minister, amid fears that he could go to any lengths to keep power in the face of his increasing isolation.

After ordering his elite troops into the street Monday, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki urged army and security forces in a statement to stay out of the political crisis and focus on defending the country, which is under attack by Sunni militants in the north.

Al-Maliki’s job is in danger after Iraqi President Fouad Massoum named the deputy speaker of parliament, Haider al-Abadi from al-Maliki’s own party, to form a new government — a move the incumbent has rejected.